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[aryan]

NEW DELHI: Explosive Indian opener Virender Sehwag has denied saying no to Indian captaincy, insisting that he is open to taking up the job as and when required.

"All I had said was that I didn't want to be vice-captain of the Indian team and that it should go to a younger player who can be groomed as captain for years to come. But if an opportunity arises and the team needs it, I can lead the side," Sehwag said.

However, the right-hander, who is presently recuperating from a shoulder injury, doesn't want to step into Mahendra Singh Dhoni's shoes right now.

"Right now, I don't think Dhoni should be replaced as captain but at some stage if something happens to him or he gets injured and I if I am offered the captaincy, I will take it," he told a news channel.

Sehwag picked fellow opener Gautam Gambhir, who replaced him as captain of the Delhi Daredevils team, as a future captain of the national side.

"Gautam has the talent and I have seen and observed him from close quarters. His thinking towards the game is very positive and he has leadership skills also," he said.

Explaining his decision to give up Daredevils' captaincy, Sehwag said, "I have led the team for two years and we reached the semifinals. I feel Gautam should be given a chance to make the team do better as technically the teams only have a year left with the existing three-year contract and this will be the last time."

"After the next year, the teams will look different with another auction taking place," he added.

Asked about the status of his shoulder injury, Sehwag said he would be fit for next month's Champions League Twenty20.

"I have been batting for some days and have absolutely no problem but throwing the ball from deep is still an issue. I would be close to full fitness by the Champions League. I will be playing in the Irani Cup before that as I need match practice and hopefully I will make an international comeback against Australia in the ODIs in October," he said.